Insect · GBIF taxon 1048501
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Diabrotica undecimpunctataAlso known as Southern Corn Rootworm, Twelve-spotted Cucumber Beetle
Spotted cucumber beetles are agile leaf beetles recognizable by their bright yellowish-green wing covers marked with twelve distinct black spots. Adults emerge in spring to feed heavily on the blossoms, foliage, and pollen of cucurbits and legumes, frequently transmitting destructive plant pathogens like bacterial wilt. Subterranean larvae, widely known as southern corn rootworms, tunnel through developing root systems, stunting crop growth and causing young stalks to lodge.
HerbivorousAgricultural PestColorful
Licensed reference(c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Cucurbit blossoms and leaves
- Corn roots and silk
- Bean foliage
Predators
- Ground beetles
- Wolf spiders
- Insectivorous birds
ThreatsSynthetic insecticide applications, entomopathogenic nematodes, and parasitic tachinid flies
HabitatsAgricultural fields, vegetable gardens, meadows, and weedy disturbed borders
Life spanSeveral months as adults; up to 1 year including overwintering
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderColeoptera
- FamilyChrysomelidae
- GenusDiabrotica
- SpeciesDiabrotica undecimpunctata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Garden Monitoring: Inspect squash blossoms and the undersides of leaves early in the morning when beetles are sluggish.
- Gentle Observation: Approach slowly, as adults readily drop to the soil or fly away when foliage is disturbed.
Competitor (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Same Genus (c) Randy A Nonenmacher, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Randy A Nonenmacher · cc-by
Image unavailableSame Genus 
Look-alike Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Frequent Companion (c) Even Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Even Dankowicz · cc-by
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